The “Yellow Alert” system, California Highway Patrol’s new hit-and-run reporting system, went into effect at the start of the new year as a part of Assembly Bill 8 signed by California Gov. Jerry Brown.
As a result of various hit-and-run fatalities statewide, the bill will allow law enforcement agencies to issue public alerts in the case of a hit-and-run accident.
The California Highway Patrol will begin using “yellow alerts” to help police catch suspected hit-and-run drivers in the area of the incident.
California Highway Patrol Officer Art Montiel told NBC Bay Area in a press release, “It is going to be more beneficial to us to have everybody that’s driving on our freeways looking for that suspect.”
Yellow Alerts will now flash on the same signs as Amber Alerts in the event of a hit-and-run that has resulted in a major injury or death to assist CHP in their search efforts.
Amanda Luna, freshman mechanical engineering major, said the Yellow Alert system is a good idea.
“It doesn’t seem like it would overwhelm the system already set up,” Luna said. “It is a legitimate issue and I can see where, if successful, it can possibly reduce hit-and-runs.”
Luna commutes to and from school on bicycle and said she has to deal with heavy traffic often.
“I have almost been hit several times, drivers usually feel they own the road, so I worry that it might happen to me,” Luna said.
Yellow Alerts may make drivers more aware of their surroundings, as well as help law enforcement catch dangerous drivers on the streets.
